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Top police officers aghast at politicians meddling in their business
Justin Davenport, Crime Correspondent03.09.09
Kit Malthouse's comments have sparked anger among senior police officers at Scotland Yard but few are surprised.
The Mayor's deputy for policing has been attempting to wrest control of the Yard ever since Boris Johnson effectively sacked Sir Ian Blair last year. That blatantly political action signalled a new approach to the running of the Met by City Hall, sending out a warning to senior officers that they faced the sack unless they did the bidding of politicians.
Senior officers have been aghast at what they see is the increasing influence of politicians over operational decisions at the Yard.
There were concerns when one of Mr Johnson's first actions was to order more police on the buses to crack down on anti-social behaviour. The decision was not controversial because it was supported by all sides.
But as one senior officer said: "What happens, to use an extreme example, if the BNP take power and order us to start rounding up immigrants. What do we do then. We have to remain independent from politics and political parties."
Sir Paul Stephenson is widely seen as City Hall's choice for the top policing job. The alternative, Sir Hugh Orde, was too independent-minded for the likes of Mr Johnson and Mr Malthouse.
Yet, they may have under-estimated the tough talking Lancastrian. He has hinted at the pressure he comes under from the local politicians on an almost daily basis. He is equally steely in his determination not to allow his operational power to be usurped.
